Sunken Black Bean Chocolate Cake

Name: Sunken Black Bean Chocolate Cake
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 40 min
Ingredients: 300 g cooked (drained, rinsed black beans); 150 g castor sugar; 4 large eggs; 70 g vegetable oil; 50 g full fat greek yogurt; 36 g cocoa powder; 1 tsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp bakin soda; Pinch of salt; 125 ml whipping cream; 10 g instant coffee (diluted in 5 ml water); 30 g icing sugar; Sea salt flakes

Tender and moist, this chocolate cake batter is made in a blender and is gluten free with no flour what so ever. Topped with a coffee whipped cream and sea salt flakes, it is such a simple but delicious dessert to bake.

If you are like me and buy canned black beans thinking you will cook up a mexican inspired buffet dinner but realize you have over ordered then this is the recipe for you! Also, that description was very specific but even if that is not you this cake is for you. If you like chocolate cake which is easy to make, simple ingredients, fuss free, moist like SO MOIST, tender and delicious then this is the recipe for you. Oh! And you are looking for a gluten free chocolate cake recipe then this is also for you.

I was planning to make this cake as a regular gluten free chocolate cake option but in all honesty, the coffee whipped cream was a last minute addition and it was such genius. Coffee and chocolate are a great pairing and since the cake is a sunken dessert the cream fills the cavity perfectly making it look prettier but also making it taste delicious. You don’t need much to make this cake and yet, it is so satisfying. So let us get into it.

What ingredients are needed to make this sunken black bean chocolate cake?

To make this cake we need cooked black beans, I use drained and rinsed canned black beans to make this cake but if you can cooking them make sure to drain out the cooking liquid before using. We also need oil – I have made this cake with coconut oil, melted butter, olive oil and canola oil – in my opinion canola oil and butter were the best in flavor. Hence I would suggest using either one of these as the olive and coconut oil can over power the flavors. The cake also needs eggs, castor sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and I used a little yogurt.

What equipment is needed to make this sunken black bean chocolate cake?

The batter is made in a blender. I use a rubber spatula to help scrap down the blender in-between blending. We bake it in an 8 inch round tin in the oven. The tin MUST BE lined with a little oil and baking paper as it can get stuck to the tin easily. For the whipped cream we need a whisk and bowl.

How to make this sunken black bean chocolate cake?

Preheat the oven 160 deg C with fan or 180 deg C without fan. Line an 8 inch round tin with oil and baking paper, set aside. In a blender add the black beans, castor sugar, oil, yogurt, vanilla and blend until smooth. Add the cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, eggs, salt and blend again. Pour into the line baking tin and bake for 35-40 minutes or until a tooth pick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once the cake comes out of the oven it will sink in the middle and that is what we want. Allow it to cool completely before serving. While its cooling let us make the coffee whipped cream by whipping heavy cream, coffee powder and icing sugar until stiff peaks. I would suggest diluting the coffee in a little warm water to create a paste before adding it into the cream and whipping. Dollop the cream into the center of the cake and top with sea salt flakes. Slice and serve.

Serving this sunken black bean chocolate cake?

This cake is delicious on its own, trust me! But I love pairing it with a cream and this time I went with a lightly sweetened coffee whipped cream that I dollop into the center of the sunken cake. You could do my pistachio whipped cream, or regular whipped cream as well. Alternatively you can serve it with vanilla ice cream as well. Sometimes I also serve it with a dusting of icing sugar and cinnamon powder as well.

Looking for more chocolate cake recipes?

Now that we have covered how to make this sunken black bean chocolate cake with coffee whipped cream recipe, you can have a look at the recipe video on my socials but let’s get to it. Don’t forget to follow along for more fun recipe inspiration.

If you try this recipe out, don’t forget to share it with me on pinterest & instagram so I can see how it turned out. I’d love nothing more than to chat with you on your cooking/baking.